HI HB145

Expands the definition of "tobacco products" to include any product containing nicotine (whether derived from tobacco or not) intended for human consumption, such as electronic smoking devices and nicotine-containing products, while excluding FDA-approved drugs and devices.

Imposes a new excise tax on tobacco products (other than large cigars) equal to an unspecified percentage of wholesale price, effective January 1, 2016, to be collected from wholesalers or dealers.

Requires revenues from the new excise tax on tobacco products to be deposited into the Hawaii cancer research special fund for research, operating expenses, and capital expenditures.

Modifies the excise tax on large cigars beginning January 1, 2016 to the lesser of an unspecified per-cigar amount or an unspecified percentage of wholesale price (specific dollar amounts and percentages left blank in the bill).

Effective date is July 1, 2050 (an unusually distant future date suggesting this may be a placeholder or draft version).